Volunteer

with CFI

Volunteers assist us with everyday tasks around our facility. They work side-by-side with our biologists to ensure that our fish receive the care and attention they need to thrive. By focusing primarily on student volunteers and recent graduates, we provide hands-on experience to the next generation of conservation professionals and educators.

  • Someone who is…

    • Interested in conservation, aquaculture, or fisheries

    • Willing to get their hands dirty!

    • Consistently available 4-10 hours per week

    • Vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and comfortable wearing a mask when necessary

    • Weekly hatchery maintenance

    • Enclosure upkeep

    • Water quality testing

    • Assist with animal care and propagation tasks

    • Sanitization of substrates, habitat, systems, and more

    • Fill out the Volunteer Application

    • Attach a resume or CV

    • If selected, fill out a Volunteer Contract and a Liability Waiver

    • Spring (February through April)

    • Summer (May through August)

    • Fall (September through November)

    • Winter (December through January)

    We begin accepting applications ~30 days before the start of each volunteer season. Check back here and follow us on social media to stay in the loop!

  • Yes! If you're interested in getting these scholarship hours at the CFI hatchery, please consider the following:

    • Our available days include Mondays-Fridays (no weekends).

    • Our working hours for volunteers are 9am-4pm. The hatchery is closed in the evenings.

    • Please contact us no later than 4-6 weeks in advance of when you would like to come in.

    • Our volunteer availability varies, and often fills up quickly due to our seasonal Volunteer Program schedule.

    Please email Shannon at volunteer@conservationfisheries.org with the following information:

    • Your full name

    • When you would like to volunteer (approx. dates)

    • Your availability (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm)

    • How many hours you'd like to complete

    • The deadline in which you need your hours completed by

    Please note that volunteering for TN Achieves scholarship hours is separate from being apart of CFI's seasonal Volunteer Program